A talk with my mom

These things happen... maybe you'll find a way to show your mom ideas in a different way. I started reading How to Win Friends and Influence People today and something I was struck by was the concept that we don't learn by teaching, we learn by doing... and even further than that, animals and people alike are more likely to adapt quickly if you praise their progress, rather than scold their failures. That really hit me -- because criticism comes naturally to me, but my overall agenda is really constructive criticism. And I've gotten better about knowing when and how to apply it -- and sometimes I just gotta keep my mouth shut... actually more often than I'd like -- but I fumble along, too. I suppose it's part of the process. I hope this makes sense =D Take care!

(Edit... I thought about this further while I was at work today. It's difficult to persuade people in general, but when it comes to parents it can be impossible. To whom we are born-- their being imprints itself deeply upon us -- and there is always some kind of mark. Maybe that's another reason why it's so hard to communicate ideas between parent and child -- because we're made of the same substance, but we're moving through life on different paths. I wish I could say more about the circumstances between you and your family -- but I will say I empathize and it's not a surprise to me you picked up a passion for the knowledge your father sought. Maybe your mom will come to terms with that in her own time. Anyhow, I wish you the best of luck!)